A proposed shopping center near Gettysburg is attracting the attention of a preservation group, as the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association calls it the "greatest threat to hallowed ground in years".

The shopping center wouldn't physically encroach on the Gettysburg battlefield. But away from the main fighting, there were some skirmishes nearby between Union and Confederate troops.

The piece of land in question is a plot located in the 1000 block of Route 30 in Straban Township. The only remarkable landmark distinguishing its role in the Civil War is a small plaque declaring the land was used as a field hospital.

That's where this development might go, according to the association.

In the distance behind the plot is the Daniel Lady Farm, which was a Confederate field hospital during the three-day fight. The association has spent years restoring the farm to its original condition at the time of the battle.

If a shopping center goes on the plot, it could alter historic views from the Daniel Lady Farm, said Barbara Mowery, president of the association,

So far, no such plans have been filed at the Straban Township offices, office manager Robin Crushong said last week.

The preservation group should wait to make up its mind, Miller said.

Mowery responded to the idea that the association was acting prematurely in a news release Thursday. The GBPA has learned through past experience that opposition to development of historic property must be exerted at the earliest time possible, the release states.

“About 20 years ago, this organization opposed construction of a supermarket that was smack-dab in the middle of the land that held Camp Letterman hospital for wounded and dying Union and Confederate soldiers,” Mowery said in the release. “Ultimately, we learned that we couldn’t stop the development because we got involved too late in the process. That’s not going to happen this time.”

Mowery wants to try to stop the proposed building before the process moves any further, she said.

"People come to Gettysburg, they come to Gettysburg as tourists to spend time on the battlefield, to reflect on what happened on those three tragic days that changed the course of history," Mowery said. "And they didn't come there to go shopping at a Super Walmart."

The association would love to buy the site, she said, but added the group doesn't have the money to cover the $8 million price tag.